ITM 400: Format to speed up race action

Check out the Transtasman duel between V8 utes at Pukekohe this weekend. Photo / APN

The ITM 400 Auckland comes with a new race format. There will be two 100km races today and tomorrow, each with its own 15-minute qualifying session.

The format means there will be no mid-race fuel stops, just 30 laps of action. While there will be no-holds-barred sprint action, the format also demands endurance from both machine and driver with 400km of racing.

"It's going to be full-on. Nailing the setup of the car straight off the plane in the first practice session will be the absolute key to an overall result," said ITM 400 Auckland ambassador Greg Murphy. "Qualifying is always vital and getting the high-speed balance right is essential because Pukekohe is such a fast and flowing circuit. It's been five years since V8 Supercars have been there and there have been some significant changes.

"They will need to get to grips with that very quickly while still learning the new cars."

Shane Howard, V8 Supercars chief operations officer, says the format changes are designed for the teams and drivers to race hard and fight for every position.

"With the new marques joining Ford and Holden in 2013 it was an opportunity for a change while continuing the great traditions of our signature events."

NZ V8 Sedans take to the track for their 2013 season finale. New generation cars race at the same time as the original Ford and Holden V8s, both fighting for separate titles in the same race. Traditional American Muscle Cars will battle in their third and final round for 2013. A new class for cars built between 1958-78, the series boasts the likes of Mustangs, Camaros, Toranas and HQs. The fast and competitive NZ V8 Utes are sure to provide some fierce and door-banging racing in a Transtasman Challenge. Some of NZ's fastest cars line the GT Sports Sedans grid ex-supercars against Transams, V8s against Turbos.